Aaron, protoproedros and doux, after 1059. Seal (Lead, 28 mm, 14.28 g, 12 h). [Θ ΘЄO]/Δ/ⲰP/O, Nimbate facing bust of Saint Theodore, holding spear over his right shoulder and resting shield on his left arm. Rev. +KЄ / ROHΘЄI / AAPⲰN ΠPⲰ/TOΠPOЄΔPⲰ / KAI ΔO[V]/KI in six lines. Zacos II 354. Minor areas of weakness and cracked along the channel on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


Aaron was a son of the Bulgarian tsar, Ivan Vladislav, who had a brilliant career in Byzantine service on the eastern borders of the empire. Seal types and narrative sources mention him being doux of Ani and Iberia (in present Armenia and Georgia), doux of Mesopotamia and katepano of Vaspurakan. Our seal mentions his highest attested dignity, which was that of a protoproedros.